If stomach pain, indigestion and nausea are a daily occurrence for you, you may be suffering from a peptic ulcer. Peptic ulcers are open sores in the lining of the stomach, esophagus or duodenum caused by bacteria or a reaction to anti-inflammatory medication. While following a special diet won't cure a peptic ulcer, it can help speed up your recovery and ease some of the painful symptoms associated with the condition.
Fiber
A high-fiber diet can help heal peptic ulcers and also prevent a recurrence, says Dr. Ronald Hoffman, founder and director of the Hoffman Center, a New York-based medical clinic. High-fiber fruits include blackberries, blueberries, figs, raspberries, apples, pears and prunes. Vegetables that are high in fiber include squash, lentils, broccoli and celery. The American College of Gastroenterology recommends that, when increasing dietary fiber, you do so slowly and boost your water intake to aid in the digestion process.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can help speed the healing process when you have a peptic ulcer. Frozen spinach is especially high in vitamin A, with a single half-cup serving containing more than 200 percent of the recommended daily value. Frozen kale, frozen peas, red peppers and carrots are other good sources of vitamin A. Fruits that are high in vitamin A include mango, papaya, cantaloupe and peaches. Apricots are not only a great source of of Vitamin A, they also contain iron, a mineral that may become depleted when taking medication for a peptic ulcer.
Flavinoids and Antioxidants
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with peptic ulcers should eat fruits and vegetables that contain flavonoids and antioxidants. Flavonoids may inhibit the growth of the H. pylori bacteria that is responsible for many peptic ulcers, while antioxidants can minimize the damage an ulcer can cause on a cellular level. Flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables include apples, cranberries, garlic and celery. Good sources of antioxidants are tomatoes, cherries, blueberries, bell peppers and squash.
Special Precautions
It is important to remember that dietary changes will not cure a peptic ulcer. If you are experiencing a burning pain before and after eating, bloating, indigestion, weight loss, vomiting, nausea or lack of appetite, consult a doctor for advice and treatment. Before consuming any fruits and vegetables, it's important to rinse them properly to minimize the risk of ingesting the H. pylori bacteria that cause many peptic ulcers.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Peptic Ulcer
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin A and Carotenoids
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Nutrition for Everyone: Iron and Iron Deficiency
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: What I Need to Know About Peptic Ulcers
- The American College of Gastroenterology: Digestive Health Tips: 10 Tips on Dietary Fiber
- Fruits and Veggies More Matters: Best of: Iron
- Dr. Ronald Hoffman; Ulcers; Ronald Hoffman, M.D., C.N.S.
